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Monday, November 1, 2010

Gluten Hangovers

Hangovers suck. But gluten hangovers? Hundreds of times worse! I have had a few gluten hangovers from being accidentally glutenized. Deli meat. Italian sausage. Oats in hamburgers I had in freezer. Twice.

There's really nothing I can do besides stop eating whatever caused the reaction and wait. The next several hours, I am on the verge of vomiting, so I just stop eating for the rest of the day. The day after I have gluten, I probably have less than 500 calories. It is a very unhealthy practice, but juice and gluten-free crackers are the only things I can stomach during that time. And then I lose two pounds that will take another month to gain back. My appetite usually fully returns by day three and then I make up for lost time.

One of my gluten-free friends was glutenized over the weekend. We were sending e-mails back and forth and I realized that there's nothing I can do or can offer him. Drink plenty of fluids? Eat what your body wants? Rest? Take it easy? Throw some inspirational quotes out there? This too shall pass. Or: If you are going through hell, keep going. I think that advice is identical to a traditional alcohol-induced hangover.